Rockers Bryan Adams and Billy Joel are the ospiti donore at this years free-entry Telecomcert to be held at the Colosseum on Monday, 31 July at 21.00.

Canadian-born Bryan Adams will take the stage first and will sing for about an hour, followed by a two-hour performance by Mister Piano man Billy Joel, who hasnt performed on Italian soil for over 11 years.

The show will conclude with a duet by the international stars, who will wow the crowds with either a Beatles or Rolling Stone hit song.

T.he event, which is organised by Telecom and city every summer, boasts a 26-metre long stage and ten megascreens. Numerous tents will be set up to deal with emergencies and three tanks of drinking water will be available to the public. A special area for the disabled (with some 200 seats) will also be available.

Special barriers will be set up to protect the monuments and archaeological sites along Via dei Fori Imperiali.

Streets around the Colosseum will remain closed on the evening, as will the metro B Colosseum stop. However there will be more night buses (see www.atac.roma.it for more information).

Previous Telecomcertos guest stars include Paul McCartney, Simon & Garfunkel and Elton John.

Crowds expected should be in line with previous years figures, some 500 000 spectators. Romes mayor Walter Veltroni will be attending this years performance.

The show will be screened live on state television Raidue and will be available on the internet in September on Telecom Italias site www.rossoalice.it

The two stars are set to arrive on Sunday and will be lodging at De Russie Hotels.